10 Things to Do This Weekend: July 13-16

Believe it or not, Pitchfork Music Festivalis in its 12th year in 2017. More than 40 new and emerging artists perform on three stages for what looks to be—as of Wednesday evening—a relatively mild weekend. Headliners: Dirty Projectors, LCD Soundsystem (Friday); Francis and the Lights, A Tribe Called Quest (Saturday); Nicolas Jaar, Solange (Sunday). Shopping opportunities abound, from vinyl at the CHIRP record fair to show posters to an edition of the Renegade Craft Fair and an interactive book fair. A kids area features games, workshops and a musical “petting zoo.”

Take stock of new artists, voices and theatrical works at MUSE 2017: Femmes Noires de la Resistance, a showcase of readings, performances and spoken word presented by Pegasus Theatre. Each work focuses on “black women holding their own power,” according to organizers.

The late music promoter Bill Graham worked with music legends such as Jimi Hendrix, the Rolling Stones, Janis Joplin, the Grateful Dead and countless others. A new multimedia exhibition, “Bill Graham and the Rock & Roll Revolution,” explores the life of Graham, who came to the U.S. as a young Jewish refugee fleeing Nazi Germany.

The new Dinner & Docs series at a revamped neighborhood movie theater (it now includes a restaurant and bar in addition to comfy new seats) includes pre-screening cocktails and a dinner buffet. The kickoff features the documentary “City of Ghosts,” which follows a group of activists who band together after the 2014 takeover of their homeland by the Islamic State. Stick around for a post-screening Q&A with director Matthew Heineman.

Get a taste of the neighborhood at the annual Chinatown Summer Fair. Don’t miss a traditional lion dance procession (12:45 p.m.), martial arts demonstrations, classical dance performances and more. Local restaurants and merchants line the streets. Pony rides and a petting zoo round it out.

More than 75 artists set up shop at the Southport Art Festival, offering everything from photography and jewelry to glass, sculpture, oil paintings and mixed media along a restaurant-heavy stretch of road.

Gear up for grub and suds at the Windy City Smokeout, where 17 pit masters cook up everything from brisket to chicken wings (there are non-barbecue options if you get – er, burnt out). Live music from dozens of artists includes Jake Owen (Friday), Kip Moore (Saturday) and Lee Brice (Sunday). Extras include a Saturday whole hog brunch ($60) and crawfish boil ($60), and a barbecue brunch Sunday ($55).

More than a dozen pit masters are stoking the flame – and your appetite. (Windy City Smokeout / Facebook)

10. Celebrate

Celebrate French culture at the family friendly Bastille Day Chicago, marking the national French holiday celebrated every July 14. Bring a picnic (no outside alcohol, please!) and blanket, learn how to play petanque, a centuries-old French game, dance to DJ Maxime Bonnard, watch a waiter’s race and catch a screening of the animated movie “Ernest & Celestine.” Beer and wine available for purchase.

Bastille Day 2014 military parade on the Champs-Élysées in Paris. (Pierre-Yves Beaudouin / Wikimedia Commons)

Events listed are subject to change. We recommend double-checking times and locations before you head out the door. Want to share your upcoming events with us for consideration in a future roundup? Send us an email.